Senior Phase (Year 9 to Year 13)
The Senior Phase is characterised by:
- An introduction to academic and vocational studies;
- An introduction and preparation for external assessment;
- A broad curriculum supporting the selection of areas of interest;
- Social contribution to the School and external community.
These aims are reflected in the following mission statement.
Mission Statement: Education in the Senior Phase of BSA is a step forward in the acquisition and assessment of knowledge, skills and understanding applicable to a range of new situations. Students will be educated to apply their abilities to achieve their potential both academically and socially through rigorous study and a growing commitment to the community.
Students commence their preparation for the IGCSE Examinations provided by Cambridge International in Year 9 with the aim of concluding their IGCSE studies in Year 11 at the November series of examinations. Second language students in English, Arabic and French sit the second language IGCSE examinations paper at the summer series of Year 10.
This IGCSE cycle will be completed for the first time in the academic year, 2026-27. Until that time, students sit IGCSE subjects in the summer series within Year 11 while second language students in English, Arabic and French sit the second language IGCSE examinations paper at the November series of Year 11.
All students take IGCSE:
- English
- Mathematics
In addition to English and Mathematics, students select five IGCSE options. The IGCSE optional subjects include:
- Science (Combined)
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Computer Science
- Design & Technology
- Arabic
- French
- Spanish
- Geography
- History
- Business Studies
- ICT for Business
- Economics
- Enterprise
- Travel & Tourism
- Art & Design
- Music
- Drama
The optional subjects offered may vary from one academic year to the next depending on the preferences expressed by students and their parents. It is the School’s intention to broaden the scope of vocational subjects.
In addition to the above subjects, students study Global Citizenship, PE/Sport and participate in extra-curricular activities to maintain a broad curriculum.
The Sixth form (Years 12 and 13) is characterised by:
- Preparation for young adulthood and higher education;
- Identification of study and work options to support students’ futures.
These aims are reflected in the following mission statement.
Mission Statement: the Sixth Form comprises the final two years of education at BSA and is designed to develop rounded individuals through opportunities to learn, lead and take responsibility. Students are prepared for the transition to higher education or the workplace with the necessary skills and knowledge gained from the pursuit of a select group of specialist subjects studied in depth and with rigour.
The Sixth Form is a crucial sub-phase of the Senior Phase which involves a greater degree of specialisation and freedom of choice. Students are free to select their chosen A-Level subjects. The eventual target size of the Sixth Form is approximately 100 students in order to make a wide range of desirable option choices viable and available to students.
Students commence their Sixth Form studies when they have completed their IGCSE examinations in November of Year 11. Students select three A-Level subjects. In addition, all students take Academic English, Global Citizenship, PE/Sport and extra-curricular activities to maintain a broad curriculum.
The A level subjects are:
- Mathematics
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Computer Science
- Design & Technology
- English Literature
- Arabic
- French
- Spanish
- Geography
- History
- Business
- Economics
- Travel & Tourism
- Art & Design
- Music
- Drama
These subjects offered may vary from one academic year to the next depending on the preferences expressed by students and their parents. It is the School’s intention to broaden the scope of vocational subjects offered to students.
